Wreck of Fair Ellen

Protected Area

Mull of Galloway

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - Wreck of Fair Ellen offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 118+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The *Fair Ellen* isn’t about tropical colours or balmy water, but she offers something genuinely special for UK wreck divers. We love a site with a bit of history, and this steam trawler, sunk in 1917, has plenty. Dropping down, you’ll first pick out the stern, usually the most intact section, with the propeller still stubbornly attached, often hosting a grumpy crab or two. Follow the line of the hull forward and you’ll find the midships section, broken but still offering plenty of penetration opportunities for those with the right training and gear – we’re talking nooks and crannies filled with dead man's fingers and plumose anemones, creating a soft, colourful carpet over the corroding steel. It’s an atmospheric dive, often silty but rarely without interest, especially when the resident coalfish shoals swirl around the upright portions of the wreck. Our favourite time to dive her is on a calm slack tide, just after sunrise, when the light filtering down can really illuminate the details, and the currents aren't trying to pull you into Blyth. This site really suits divers who appreciate a good historical wreck and the hardy marine life that calls it home, more than those chasing sunshine and sharks.